Instead of turning your compost pile with a shovel or pitchfork you can build a tumbling composter that will automatically turn and aerate your materials to help form a rich compost. Commercially tumbling composters can be expensive, but if you have access to large plastic drums you can make one or more tumblers on the cheap.

Instructional site WikiHow shares basic plans on how to turn a 55-gallon drum into a tumbling composter. Basically you'll need to purchase a length of two-inch PVC pipe that's two feet longer than your barrel. Drill holes in the top and bottom of the barrel to fit the pipe. Now create the stand for the composter by nailing two sets of 2x4s into an x-frame and nail two more 2x4s across the top of the X's. You should now be able to set the barrel with pipe on the stand and turn it freely. Cut a door on the side of the barrel and use simple hinges and a hasp to attach the door back to the barrel. Finally, bolt a piece of sheet metal to the inside of the barrel opposite the door; this will give you a mixing fin to stir the compost as the barrel is tumbled.